International help sought to bring the Tigers back to negotiations

Plan Implementation Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told BBC Sandeshaya that Sri Lanka’s major donors should help the country to get the LTTE back on the talks “instead of making fresh demands”.

The government has welcome suggestions that Sri Lanka’s giant neighbour India should also get involved in the peace process.

“I believe India can play a significant role in getting the Tigers back on the table,” the minister told bbcsinhala.com.

Akashi visit

The latest international effort has failed to convince the Tamil Tigers to return to peace talks, which they pulled out of last month.

I believe India can play a significant role in getting the Tigers back on the table Minister Rambukwella

After meeting both parties in Colombo and Kilinochchi, the Japanese special envoy on Sri Lanka, Yasushi Akashi, has suggested that India should play an active role in finding a solution to Sri Lanka’s long running conflict.

He has also stressed that parties are ultimately responsible for peace in the country and the role of the internationals community is limited to support that effort.

However Sri Lanka insists that it is the Tigers that escalated violence and ‘looking for excuses’ to avoid second round of Geneva talks.

Rambukwella said though the government is trying its "utmost" for the immediate resumption of talks as it is the best way to deal in a "‘civilised society", the Tigers are reacting that "with claymore bombs".